1999's 15 Most Essential Horror Movies, 25 Years Later

Last week, we looked back on the 15 essential sci-fi movies of 1999—a year that brought us The Matrix and the long-awaited return of Star Wars in The Phantom Menace. But horror came a close second that year, led by multiple Oscar nominee The Sixth Sense and indie sensation The Blair Witch Project, among many others.

Here are the 15 essential horror movies of 1999, and where to stream these 25-year-old classics.

The Sixth Sense

The first time you watch it, it’s all about the big twist at the end. The second or 10th time through M. Night Shyamalan’s breakout film, however, is when it really gets good. Not only can you pick up on all the spooky clues you missed, you can put being terrified aside and take the time to appreciate the emotionally stirring performances (Toni Collette, the real MVP always). Rent or buy on Prime Video.

The Mummy

Before the Dark Universe came and went, Universal’s dustiest classic monster got this wildly entertaining remake, which has some bombastic circa-’99 special effects but is mostly powered by the sparkling chemistry between Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Rent or buy on Prime Video.

Stir of Echoes

Prolific screenwriter David Koepp (Jurassic Park, 2002's Spider-Man, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) did writing and directing duty with this Richard Matheson-inspired ghostly mystery, in which Kevin Bacon’s newly awakened psychic powers entangle him the case of a missing girl. Streaming free with ads on Freevee, Tubi, Plex, and Roku Channel.

Bats

When genetically modified bats begin attacking a Texas town, it’s up to the sheriff (Lou Diamond Phillips) and a scientist (Starship Troopers’ Dina Meyer) to MacGyver up some increasingly explosive solutions. It’s a B-movie creature feature, and it knows it! It’s literally just called Bats! Streaming on Prime Video, and free with ads on Freevee, Tubi, Pluto TV, Roku Channel, and Plex.

Idle Hands

Keep your 4/20 celebration going with this stoner horror comedy, in which a teenage ne’er-do-well (Chucky’s Devon Sawa) becomes the literal embodiment of the phrase “idle hands are the Devil’s playthings.” Streaming free with ads on Pluto TV.

Lake Placid

Horror vet Steve Miner (Friday the 13th parts 2-3, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later) directed and TV heavyweight David E. Kelley (The Practice, Big Little Lies) wrote this horror comedy about a bucolic Maine lake that becomes home to a giant, hungry crocodile. The premise is as silly as the cast is surprisingly great, including Bill Pullman, Oliver Platt, Bridget Fonda, Brendan Gleeson, and Betty White. Streaming free with ads on Sling TV.

Audition

Takashi Miike’s, uh, “relationship drama” is just as shocking now as it was 25 years ago. Often imitated, never duplicated, and full of imagery that’ll sear your eyeballs for the next few decades. Streaming on AMC+; free with ads on Tubi and Sling TV.

Sleepy Hollow

Is this the last truly great Tim Burton movie (with fingers crossed for this year’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice)? After Sleepy Hollow—starring Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, and the Headless Horseman—he made the misguided Planet of the Apes and the maudlin Big Fish, then launched into several far less rewarding Depp collaborations. (Corpse Bride was OK we suppose.) Streaming on MGM+, Prime Video, and Paramount+.

The Haunting

Liam Neeson, Lili Taylor, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and some very 1999 CG star in this Shirley Jackson adaptation from director Jan de Bont (Twister, Speed), also the basis for Robert Wise’s 1963 horror classic. Streaming free with ads on Pluto TV. (Not to be confused with the next film on this list, though you’d be forgiven for doing so.)

House on Haunted Hill

Another remake, this time updating William Castle’s 1959 chiller starring Vincent Price. William Malone’s version casts Geoffrey Rush in role of host and has the same basic premise, as a group of money-hungry strangers (Taye Diggs, Ali Larter, Peter Gallagher, Chris Kattan) accept the challenge to stay overnight in a haunted house for a hefty cash reward. Rent or buy on Prime Video.

The Blair Witch Project

It’s going to be very difficult for the just-announced newest version to top this groundbreaking found-footage classic. Streaming free with ads on Freevee.

Stigmata

Patricia Arquette plays an atheist who encounters a mysterious rosary, then suddenly spouts blood from wounds that appear to be stigmata... then starts acting like she’s become possessed. Gabriel Byrne is the priest dispatched by the Vatican to look into her case—which ends up involving Catholic Church conspiracies and cover-ups, of course. Streaming free with ads on Tubi, Roku Channel, and Pluto TV.

Jawbreaker

Somewhere between Heathers and Mean Girls lies this pitch-black (and yet also candy-colored) satirical comedy about high-school popularity, makeovers, and murder plots. Rose McGowan plays the ruthless queen bee; Judy Greer is the malicious misfit; and the supporting cast includes Pam Grier and Carol Kane, as well as a Carrie in-joke with P.J. Soles and William Katt. Rent or buy on Prime Video.

Ravenous

A Western that’s also a cannibal movie that’s also a horror comedy? No wonder this misunderstood-upon-release movie starring Guy Pearce (post-L.A. Confidential, pre-Memento), Robert Carlyle, and David Arquette found an appreciative cult audience eventually. Rent or buy on Prime Video.

American Movie

This delightful documentary is not itself a horror movie, but it does chronicle the making of a micro-budget horror movie titled Coven, and the endearing crew of Wisconsin folks who all believe in the dream. Streaming free with ads on Tubi.

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